Archive for category Music

Did you make a #burgermix yet? Here’s one I made a Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, of some favourites from their catalogue. Check out the Fast Company interview with the Burger founders here. Making it big, they are!

Yes, you read correctly, The Pandoras have reformed and they will be starting their tour in Copenhagen. The poster above is for the Milan gig. But how is this possible without the late Paula Pierce? Well, Kim Shattuck of the The Muffs, who played in the band for a while is on vocal and lead guitar duties. The Pandoras was a group that saw many line-up changes either way, so we won’t be seeing any original members or even anyone who played on the first album – the classic It’s About Time – and album that strangely still isn’t on any streaming service (pick up the reissue from Bomp!). The new group have also recorded a few leftover Pierce songs that never made it to tape, to be released during the tour.

The Higher State have just layed down some tracks for their new and fifth (!) studio album. Considering their last one was their finest moment so far I have high hopes for this one, to be called Vol. 26 (no doubt a reference to West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band who called their albums things like Vol. 2 when it was actually their third). However, it is a bit unclear who is actually in the band now apart from founding member Marty Radcliffe and new recruit Paul Messis. But you’ll get a taste of what’s to come on the new 13 O’Clock single coming out next month. It is already playing on Spotify so check out these moody janglers embellished with organ. I am convinced!

There are lots of news to tell since the last round of updates, the most exciting being that I am now a contributor to Swedish music magazine HYMN. It’s an online site featuring new music and high-quality writing in Swedish. It’s my first time writing about music in Swedish so it’s as fun as it is challenging. So far I have written about one of the best records of the year so far, The Smoking Trees’ second album, along with a short interview with the band. I’ve also reviewed the latest book by Stuart David, the author of Nalda Said. Make sure to follow the site on Facebook to get all the updates – and we’re also hosting some club nights in Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm. I just played at the July event at Jazzhuset, and I will also contribute to the August date at Grand, Malmö. Here are links to my articles so far:

Tomorrows Tulips’ gig in Malmö was one of those unexpected and haphazard events, the experience of which bordered on the uncanny as the group bounced from dreamy pop to cacaphonous thrashing. It was also an opportunity to pick up their European tour 7″ released by La Suisse Primitive, yes, based in Switzerland. Check out the a-side “Check Me Out” below (also released on a 80N7 compilation), and the flip is a loving take on Further’s classic 90s gem “Quiet Riot Girl”. No surprise considering their friendship with ex-Further member Brent who also recorded their first album.

La Luz and Habibi are two bands that fit well together, so well that I once wrote about them in the same post. Now there is reason to do so again, as Volcom have released a split single with the two all-female groups. Go here to grab one of the few remaining copies of this limited release. Both of these tracks are fairly laidback jams perfect for a hazy summer. La Luz are soon up for another tour of Europe, this time making it to Lund, Sweden. Their 2nd longplayer is due in August, produced by Ty Segall. And one of the leftover session tracks drops on the 16th LAMC split later in August, backed with a track from Scully. When can we expect more from Habibi?

Last month I visited Hamburg to play at the new Molotow for Sugar and Spice Club. We were in the upstairs “skybar” and partied until the sky outside the windows started getting bright again. I’d like to thank the residents Bernie, Caroline and especially Kai who invited me and was an excellent host. Great to see my German friends Saskia, Ben, Kian and Teresa again and I hope to be back for the Looks At the Lights Go Up newyears weekender. Here are some tracks from my set:

TT are recording their new, and fourth album, together with Calvin Johnson. Right now, they’re on tour in Europe for the first time, and What We Do Is Secret are bringing them to Sweden. Don’t miss this one.

John Krautner of The Go (and Conspiracy of Owls) is back, and he picks up where their latest longplayer Fiesta left off. If you liked bubblegum mega hits like “It Always Happens to You”, then Fun With Gum Vol. 1 will be right up your street. Again, out on the brilliant Burger Records. Bring on the second volume, I say.